Softboots and bindings advice for carving

[dyrektorek]

Hello,

I bought Korua Cafe Racer 164 this year and I'm looking for boots and bindings to match this board. I'm 188cm/86kg (6' 2" / 190lbs).

Boots

I am wondering between Ride Insano (I tried them on and it was pretty comfortable) and Nidecker Talon (did anybody tried those?). I ordered Talons to try them on, but maybe you have some other suggestions? These must be at least 9/10 flex, but I think it should be 10.

Currently I own 5 years old Northwave Decades and I tie them so hard my feet hurt.

Bindings

I was thinking about Union Atlas (wouldn't they be too soft?), Flux XV, Flow NX2-GT and Ride A-10. I had never tried rear-entry bindings, so I am rather into XVs or A-10s. But maybe there's some other bindings worth considering? I checked Now O-Drives too, but they are not available in my country.

Riding Style

75% carving, 25% powder. I basically avoid anything else.

Thanks for help!

[JRAZZ]

Couple of threads to read...

Boots:

 

 

Bindings:

 

 

With boots go with what feels good. Stiff choices are (in no particular order): Nidecker Talon, Ride Insanos, K2 Thraxis, Burton DriverX, Burton Ion, Salomon Malamute. (probably missed a few)

 

As for bindings, many choices again. I love my Flow NX2s but if you go that route just remember that they really need to be set up correctly.

[scottishsurfer]

Id stay away from the union atlas and go with either the flux xv)xf or the flows. Not heard from anyone with the new rides yet but folks thought highly of the el hefes that there replacing. 

As for boots I'd try to them on first and see what you prefer fit is everything

[gunslinger65]

I'm a big fan of the malamutes and el hefe combo. I also use strap ins around the ankle and one for the shin. I cant speak for the new malamutes, they got away from the lacing system in the liner.

[Deuxdiesel]

I have found that a slightly softer boot combined with a stiffer binding works better for me than the opposite combination.  A really still boot in a softer binding tends to bend too much right at the curve of the tongue and really digs in to my ankle.  I also seem to get more heel lift in this combination as well.  

[Maxlanaudiere]

DO not shop boots by model. The best boot is the one that is going to fit your feet. Getting the "most performant" boot out there will be useless if your foot keep moving in there.

Measure your feet. buy your boot using the Mondo size and try all brands.

[svr]

A lot of great advice provided above...I  am currently on a Driver X and 2021 Union Atlas FC setup (I replaced the forged carbon highback with a regular Atlas highback as I found the carbon to be too stiff on both the Atlas FC and on my Now O-drives). I love this setup of a stiff boot paired with a medium-stiff binding baseplate with a medium highback.

Flow NX2-CXs are great but take the time to set them up correctly like @JRAZZ mentioned above.

I also owned the Flux XVs from last year and found the same issue with the highback being super stiff, so unless you have calves of steel, I would go with the XF in the Flux line and also the Flux’s have almost no dampening in the baseplates as they market them as a direct connection to the board unlike all of the other choices that have at least some rubber or foam on the baseplates.

good luck and please provide feedback on whatever setup you go with.

cheers,

sandy

 

[dyrektorek]

Nidecker Talon arrived to me, they are even more comfortable than Insanos, but in one of them i can move my ankle just a little bit. I wonder if I I should consider it as something bad or it can stay like that. Any advice, it should be dead lock? It's not a huge movement but it's there.

With bindings, I managed to get Ride A-10 with a nice price tag and I think I will keep them.

 

One more thought, I bought M size which Ride says it fits the size below 280, my Talons are 275 but they stick out just a bit. Is that ok?

Edited February 24, 2021 by dyrektorek

[slapos]

I heard some good feedback on these bindings :

https://www.phk-italia.com/prodotto/mix/

on the boots I would take those talons.

Ankle movement - do you mean heel lift or ? Heel lift is never good.

[dyrektorek]

If only I could afford these

Yes, it's like about 2-3 milimeters when I try hard to stand on tiptoes inside the boot

Edited February 24, 2021 by dyrektorek

[slapos]

since you are in poland why dont you talk to Shaman snowboard team? I think they got some pretty good gear setups for snowboard carving :

https://www.facebook.com/shaman.snowboard

have a look and have a word with them if you dont know them yet.

[svr]

2 hours ago, dyrektorek said:

Nidecker Talon arrived to me, they are even more comfortable than Insanos, but in one of them i can move my ankle just a little bit. I wonder if I I should consider it as something bad or it can stay like that. Any advice, it should be dead lock? It's not a huge movement but it's there.

With bindings, I managed to get Ride A-10 with a nice price tag and I think I will keep them.

 

One more thought, I bought M size which Ride says it fits the size below 280, my Talons are 275 but they stick out just a bit. Is that ok?

Your pic looks like the bindings are perfectly set with your boots.

I would not change anything on that...the only concern on your boots is that the liner is going to pack out a bit as you use them, so that may cause more issues later.

cheers,

sandy

[Maxlanaudiere]

3 hours ago, dyrektorek said:

Nidecker Talon arrived to me, they are even more comfortable than Insanos, but in one of them i can move my ankle just a little bit. I wonder if I I should consider it as something bad or it can stay like that. Any advice, it should be dead lock? It's not a huge movement but it's there.

With bindings, I managed to get Ride A-10 with a nice price tag and I think I will keep them.

 

One more thought, I bought M size which Ride says it fits the size below 280, my Talons are 275 but they stick out just a bit. Is that ok?

Check out angrysnowboarder boot fitting 101 video guides. Worth it.

And get some of this: https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/gp/product/B07G4BTL4Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1/8 and 1/4 sheets, heat gun and duct tape.

Edited February 24, 2021 by Maxlanaudiere

[dhamann]

toe strap caution for softboot carvers. watch the buckles. depending on how you ride and how low you like to go, the buckles may catch on toeside turns. easy solution is to just adjust strap accordingly (maybe swap R strap to L and vice versa) to go over the top of the boot, regardless of the strap being a toe cap design. it rides fine. happy shredding and those A-10's look clean!

[dyrektorek]

Thanks for your suggestions guys!

That heel movement was my only concern, but after watching some of these videos it's not anymore.

[dyrektorek]

Alright, a few words on the set, I was riding for 7 days, around 7-8h daily.

Talons: I bought 2019/2020 version, because they were a bit cheaper. I regret that, because i had problems with adjusting the tongue correctly. This caused some pain on the inside of the shins. After i managed to fit them well, they are really good, very comfortable, very stiff. They are quite heavy, but it's not a problem for me, however Insanos are lighter. They are rather big as well, so you might consider that when buying (Insanos have significantly reduced footprints).

A-10: At first I felt like my boots are welded to the board (I had Drake Fifty before...). However I have a concern regarding them - one of the toe ratchet fails to open when the boot is straped. I think I will make a complaint about that to the seller.

Korua Cafe Racer: I really like that board, keeps the edge very well, amazing in the powder. Unfortunately, I had a surprise in the powder - attaching the photo.

[daveo]

I like the look of these- Phiokka Mix G.A.R.A. Better than standard Mix for carving.

https://www.phk-italia.com/prodotto/mix-gara/

I personally found Driver X to fit my foot really well.

A few people I know who ride higher than normal softboot angles, ride similar devices to bomber power plates for lift/cant, powerride boot stiffeners and booster straps. 

Hmm I've seen a few couple Korua durability issues now. Makes me think they might have some issue since it isn't a super popular board. The number of damage cases seems to be in a greater than normal proportion. Just an observation.

[dyrektorek]

Hi all,

coming back with some thoughts.

First of all, my Ride A-10s have an issue with front toe ratches - in both bindings they broke and I can't release them without a few moments of struggle.

I bought Flows NX2-gt hybrid this season - and man, they are just amazing. I needed to tighten my A-10s with much power. With Flows it's no longer an issue - I need less power and therefore my legs don't hurt. Even with having them looser - I feel that they are much more responsive. Also getting the boot in is a plus although it's not as easy as in the ads

Now I am after 7 days riding with Flows and 10 days with Rides - Flows look like brand new and Rides look much worse.

About the Talons - I'm after 17 days now (I ride basically whole day without any breaks). Applied some additional padding for my chicken ankles and it feels better now. They have some wearing at the sides, which does not affect anything. Other than that - they still feel stiff and comfortable.